Monday, March 10, 2008

The new Mass Effect content is out bringing us a brand new mission to a already huge game, does this new content deliver or does it "Bring down" the excitement of any future content being released?

The “Bring Down the Sky” downloadable content pack for Mass Effect is available now on Xbox Live for 400 MS points. “Bring Down the Sky” contains approximately 90 minutes of heart-pounding action and a new Achievement worth 50 Gamerscore points.

“Bring Down the Sky” includes a new uncharted world that introduces the notorious and feared alien race of the Batarians. A Batarian extremist group has hijacked a mobile asteroid station in the Asgard system, setting it on a collision course with the nearby colony world of Terra Nova. Only Commander Shepard can save the millions of innocent civilians before the asteroid completes its deadly descent.

As excited as I was about more content being released for Mass Effect, I have to admit I was somewhat skeptical. For 400 points was this just going to be another uncharted world with some small text instructions like so many of the uncharted world missions in the game? Or was Bioware going to go all out and add some new cut scenes, characters and dialog that would do a more visual presentation of adding to the already cool universe of Mass Effect. Good news folks, Bioware choose to expand its game on a more visual note.

To access the new content, you simply go to the Xbox Live Marketplace and download the new content. After its downloaded it will install automatically next time you boot up Mass Effect, there are a few steps needed to be done to access the new content though. From your galaxy map on your ship you have to choose a new location on your map called Asteroid XXX and you'll launch off to the area where the asteroid is located. When you enter the galaxy location you are treated to a new cut scene with a distress signal from a women crying out for help, she reveals that something bad is going down on this asteroid and that the fate of a nearby planet is jeopardy if you don't stop the enemy from slamming the asteroid head on with the planet.

I won't get into plot spoilers, but on your way through this mission you'll meet a new alien race, brand new characters, plot sequences and plenty of action, all with new cut scenes and dialog. This goes far beyond your typical uncharted world mission and you'll even get to make more paragon/renegade decisions that will completely effect the outcome of the extra mission. My only hint is to make sure that you keep your item slots open at the end of the mission, as you'll get to receive something very cool at the end.

My one and only gripe about the content is the way it has to be accessed. The last time I played Mass Effect I just completed my second play though and in order to access the new content I had to play through Eden Prime and the beginning of the Citadel all over again. It would of been neat if Bioware would of thrown in a option on the main menu that allowed you to enter a DLC content only galaxy and to speed things up you could import your current character. Thankfully, if more content is released I have a save that will take me right back to my ship and to new content when its released.

While I wouldn't say that this has 90 minutes of game play (More like an hour.) I will say that its completely worth the pick up if your a fan of the Mass Effect game and for the 400 points you even get an extra achievement.

If it wasn't for the way you had to access the content this would be a perfect 5, but a 4.5 out of 5 will work just as well. Pick it up!